Enclosed infrared brooders



g- 19, 1958 R. B. TAYLOR 2,848,591

ENCLOSED INFRARED BROODERS Filed July 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheefli 7 l A l51* ll i 4 I3 I 1/ I lll I llllllll INVENTOR- Robert 5.1331 9 ham 5 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19, 1954 INVENTOR. Robert BTaylqv BY ATTORNEY Aug.19, 1958 R. B. TAYLOR 2,848,591

ENCLOSED INFRARED BROODERS Filed July 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 IN VEN TOR.

RobeY t B.Ta. 1 GAMMM M A T TORNE Y 2,848,591 Patented Aug. 19, 1958Fine ENCLOSED lNFRARED BROODERS Robert B. Taylor, Fort Wayne, Ind.,assignor to Rhinehart Development Corporation, a corporation of IndianaApplication July 19, 1954, Serial No. 444,046

14 Claims. (Cl. 219-35) This invention relates to brooders forlivestock, pigs, poultry, and the like, particularly brooders in whichinfrared heating elements are used to maintain a predetermined comfortzone therein.

Infrared heating of brooders may be obtained by direct radiation fromone or a cluster of infrared lamps, or from one or more reflectingunits, as disclosed in my copending application Serial Number 394,052,filed November 24, 1953.

Infrared rays, often referred to as heat rays, are, in fact, a form oflight. Infrared rays can be and are generated by heated bodies whichgive off substantially no visible light as the invisible infrared lightof long wave lengths emanates therefrom. Such infrared rays cause heatto be produced on any object upon which the rays fall to the extent towhich the rays are absorbed by the surface of such object.

Hence, with infrared lamps of high intensity the amount of useful heatavailable to animals or fowl in a brooder is that which is generated inthe litter and on the animals or fowl in the brooder occupancy zone byvirtue of absorption of these long wave length light waves.

These infrared light waves pass through clean air without affecting itstemperature. The amount of heat generated on any surface upon whichinfrared light falls is not necessarily dependent upon the color of theobject, but on the characteristics of the surface, particularly itsability to absorb the infrared radiation and convert it into heat.

In studying the effect of absorption of infrared rays, one must notassume that the temperatures which may be developed can be measured byan ordinary glasswalled mercury thermometer. Such a thermometer reflectsa high percentage of infrared radiation and, therefore, the indicatedtemperature which may be attained is too low.

One can arrive at some fair estimate of the heat developed in the litterin the bottom of the brooder occupancy zone by placing a thermometerwith the outside of the bulb coated with dull black pigment on thesurface of the litter. Even these observations of temperature, whilefairly good, are not necessarily the actual temperature developed on thehair or skin of animals or the down or feathers of fowl in the brooder,or the comfort of such occupants.

The thermometric values observed have been checked carefully byobservation of the responses of the chicks themselves under a brooder.They invariably seek out the area of greatest comfort. The extent of anysuch comfort zone is indicated clearly by excessive congregation if suchzone is relatively narrow, or by a general dispersion if such zone isrelatively broad.

In any event, the isothermal patterns obtained in the occupancy zonebeneath the radiation source depends upon a number of factors including:intensity at radiation source, distance from radiation source to theoccupancy zone, quality of the litter in the bottom of the occupancyzone, extent to which the infrared radiation is absorbed and convertedto heat in the litter and/ or on the occupants of said zone, and to theextent that the heat so generated therein is reirradiated out of saidoccupancy zone.

The principal object of the present invention is to ma terially increasethe area for greatest comfort 1n the occupancy zone of an infraredbrooder which would' otherwise have a high temperature gradient betweenthe center and the periphery of such occupancy zone.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the maximumutilization of infrared radiation in a brooder by reflection ofotherwise stray radiations in order that they may be absorbed by thecontents of the occupancy zone of the brooder.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an infrared brooderwherein there is a minimum loss of infrared radiation absorbed andconverted into heat by the contents of the occupancy zone of suchbrooder.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cover orcanopy for infrared brooders of either the direct radiation type orreflecting radiation type.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cover orcanopy with a highly infrared reflecting inner surface for infraredbrooders.

Other objects of this invention include the provision of a canopy orcover for infrared brooders which has a highly reflecting inner surfaceand at the same time is capable of transmitting sufiicient visible lightto permit observation of the occupants thereof.

I have discovered a significant improvement in the art of broodinganimals and fowl using infrared radiation which provides from 1.5 to 10times the isothermal area in the occupancy zone of a brooder and 5 to 20F. higher temperature for corresponding isothermal areas as compared toan infrared brooder without said improvement.

More specifically, the present invention is an infrared brooder covercomprising a plastic film canopy capable of being disposed around theinfrared source and the brooder occupancy zone, a canopy supportingelement attached to the upper part of the plastic film and adapted to beattached above the irradiation source, spacing means near the bottom ofthe plastic film to maintain the canopy.

in a predetermined configuration and means depending from the spacingmeans to simultaneously provide immediate enclosure and ingress-egresscommunication for the occupancy zone.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification,wherein reference symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of this invention,

Fig. 4 is a part elevational view of the embodiment of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 shows typical isotherms in the occupancy zone of a brooder unitthe same as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, except without a canopy, and

Fig. 6 shows typical isotherms in the occupancy zone of the brooder unitwith a canopy as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the occupancy zone 1 above the bottom of the brooderis heated by a direct radiating lamp or lamps 3 in fixture 5 held inposition by cable 7, which may be affixed to a rigid primary support orto a counterweight (not shown). The flexible plastic film canopy orcover 9 is maintained in a predetermined configuration by spacersrepresented by spacer 13 and to a supporting member 15 to which isattached the upper part of cover 9. Supporting member 15 rests onfixture 5. The change in plane between adjacent panels is represented by11. A flap or flaps, represented by flap 17, provide closures foravenues of'ingress and'egress for animal or fowl to and In Figs. 3 and4, the occupancy zone 19 above the bottom of the brooder is heated by areflecting infrared lamps or'unit'gr epresented by lamp unit 21; on'crossarms 23held in' position by'rods 25 attached to acom'monsu'pp'or't"member 27 joined to connector 29, which may beaffixed" to a rigid primary. support or'to a counterweight (not shown).

The'flexible'film canopy orcover 31 is maintained inthepred'eterminedconfiguration 'by the length and weight of spacers 35.The change in: plane between adjacent panelsisrepresente'd by 33. Theupper edges of cover 31 are attached to a supportingmember'37 whichrests on the infrared'un'its support'member 27. A'side flap or flaps;represented by flap 39, provide a closure or closuresforav'enu'es'ofingre'ss and egress for animals or fowl to and fromoccupancy zone 19. t

In Fig.5, the relative positionsof the reflecting'infrared la'mp unitszlare'shown in'respect to 80, 70, 60 and 50f F. isotherms representedrespectively by'curves 41, 43'," 45 "and"47 in the brooder without acanopy or cover.

In Fig. 6," the relative positions of the reflecting infrared units 21are shown in respectto 100, 90and 80F. representedrespectivelyby'curves'49, 51 and 53; in a brooder unit "with the cover'or canopy, in whichthelimit of the occupancy zone on one 'side'is' represented by 55, wherethe corresponding temperature is 73 F.

In conventional infrared broodersof the cluster type containing three orfour bulbs, the radiated infrared light is'directed ata'n angle towardthe'litter covering the floor of the brooder. The size of the patternofheat generated and its configurationdepend to some extent upon'theangleat which the bullbsare-mounted and the height of-"the'-a'ss'erribly from'the floor. In conventional brooders of thisdirect radiation type where the bulbs'aresupported so thatthelowerpartsof the bulbs are 18 inches above the surface'of the litter-in-the'bottom of theoccup'an'cyzone, it was foundthat small areas with highheat values were developed in the center of' relatively smalldiameterlight patterns and that these values declined rapidly as measurements insuccessively contiguous concentric zones. Conventional infrared broodersof the type with which we are here concerned consist essentially onlyof-"a cluster of lights suspended above the floor of'a large brooderroom which may be'heated to 60 to' 70 F. or is often unheated.

In' infrared bro'oders of the reflecting type, as described inmycopending'application, there'is provided an increase in radiation withthe simultaneousreduction of gradient of the reflected radiation overthe entire area. This is true when the reflecting type units are used ina large brooder-"room in the samemanner as" the-direct radiating clusterof the preceding paragraph.

The present invention is directed to materially improving the comfortand health of animals or fowl which may bebrooded with either directorreflecting type radiation units. The heating units and the occupancyzone are enclosed with a plastic film canopy or cover supportedabove'the radiation source and enclosingthe" occupancy zone.

The plasticfilm canopy has-an'infraredreflecting inn'er surface-whichmay be due to the film alone or specifically obtained by use of acoating, such as an aluminum metallized inner surface.- Polyethylene isparticularly suitable as a composition-for the foldable plastic film forthe construction ofthe canopy herein described and claimed.

The canopy is distended around the radiation source and the occupancyzone by supporting thetop of the plastic film'above the radiation sourceand maintaining a predeterminedconfiguration of the film with spacers ofsuitable length andweight. These-spacer'smay be applied to the filmin'any suitable" manner, such as the equivalent of valance loops. Thespacers may be rods or tubes. The ends'of adjacent spacers arefitteddnto' a short angular tube, thereby making possible an easilyassembled canopy, whichwan'b'e readily dismantled and stored in a smallspace as may be required.

The plastic film panels of predetermined configuration between thecanopy support and the spacers extend downwardly to the top orrsomewhatabove thetop of the occupancy zone. At least one closure for ingress andegresswith respect to the occupancy zone depends from one of the filmpanels ab ove'thespacers; Also,- there may be a plurality ofsuch-closures below-one film'panel, or under each film panel, or anycombination of single or multiple closures as may be required for thedesired direction of movement of animals or fowlwithrespect to thebrooder occupancy zone. The closures may be in the form of fiaps affixedto the bottom of. the respective film panels or may be extensionsintegral therewith.

In the several examples below, the results shown were obtained bymeasurement of the temperatures developed.- withstandard laboratorythermometers, with bulbscoated previously Withblack India ink, placedtwo inches above the'surface of a 2 inch layer of Sam-Flor litter at-thebottom of the brooder occupancy zone.

Example 1 I One example isgiv'e'n for comparison of'the measuredisothermal patterns for- ('gz) A- 3'-lamp direct infrared'radiationbrooder with 250 watt clear bulbs, 18 inches'above the surface of thelitter; no canopy or'cover;'a'mb'ient temperature 30 F. (b) A 3-lampdirect infrared radiation brooder with 250 watt clear bulbs, 18 inchesabove the surface of the litter; a canopy or cover defining a hexagonalarea of 2330 square inches, with the lower edges of the closures orflapsone 'inch above thesurface of the litter; ambient temperature 30 F.

, (a) Without (b) -With Isothertn, F. Canopy Canopy Area, sq. in. Area,sq;in;

Example 2 250 watt clear bulbs, 19 inches above the surface of thelitter; a canopy or cover defining a hexagonal area of 2330 squareinches with the lower edges of the closures o'r'flaps 2 inches above thesurface of the litter; ambient temperature 50 F.

(a) 4-lamp (b) ii-lamp (c) 4-1amp v Without With Can- With Gan-Isotherm, F. Canopy opy Area; opy Area,

Area, sq. 111. sq. in. sq. in.

- Example 3 A further example is given for comparison of the measuredisotherm pattern for (a) A 4-unit reflecting type infrared brooder, witha 250 watt clear bulb in each unit, the cross-arms immediatelysupporting the units being 16 inches above the surface of the litter; nocanopy or cover; ambient temperature 65 F. p

(b) A 4-unit reflecting type infrared brooder, with a 250 watt clearbulb in each unit, the cross-arms immediately supporting the units being16 inches above the surface of the litter; a canopy or cover defining asquare area of 3600 square inches, with the lower edges of the closuresor flaps 2 inches above the surface ofv the litter; ambient temperature50 F.

From the above examples, it will be seen that use of the canopy or coverof the present invention provides approximately 1.5 to times theisothermal area and approximately 5 to 20 F. higher temperature for thecorresponding isothermal areas as compared to a corresponding infraredbrooder without the canopy or cover.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention actually may be carriedout by the use of various modifications and changes without departingfrom its spirit and scope, with only such limitations thereon as may beimposed by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a brooder in which must be maintained for the occupancy of liveanimals or fowls a predetermined comfort zone, the combination whichcomprises (a) an occupancy zone above the floor of said brooder whereina substantial amount of any heat absorbed or generated in the bottomportion thereof is retained therein, (b) an infrared radiation sourceabove said occupancy zone providing a very substantial proportion ofradiation in the range of 7000 K to 9000 Angstrom units, and (c) aseparable foldable, plastic film cover enclosing said occupancy zone andsaid infrared source, said cover having low thermal conductivity andappreciable infrared reflectivity.

2. In the brooder as defined in claim 1 wherein (a) said brooder coveris generally tapered from the periphery of said occupancy zone, and (b)said brooder cover provides 1.5 to 10 times the isothermal area of aninfrared brooder without said cover.

3. In the brooder as defined in claim 1 wherein (a) said brooder coveris generally tapered from the periphery of said occupancy zone, and (b)said brooder provides 1.5 to 10 times the isothermal area and 5 to 20 F.higher temperature for the corresponding isothermal areas as compared toan infrared brooder without said cover.

4. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary, foldable plasticfilm canopy of low thermal conductivity and with an infrared reflectinginner surface, capable of enclosing a brooder occupancy zone and itsinfrared radiation source, said canopy being of substantially pyramidalconfiguration when extended and supported solely by the apex thereofaround said occupancy zone.

5. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary, foldable plasticfilm canopy of low thermal conductivity, transmitting visible light atleast in part, and with an infrared reflecting inner surface, capable ofenclosing a brooder occupancy zone and its infrared radiation source,

said canopy being of substantially pyramidal configuration when extendedand supported solely by the apex thereof around said occupancy zone.

6; An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary, foldablepolyethylene film canopy of low thermal conductivity and with aninfrared reflecting inner surface, capable of immediately enclosing abrooder occupancy zone and its infrared radiation source, said canopybeing of substantially pyramidal configuration when extended andsupported solely by the apex thereof around said occupancy zone.

7. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary, flexible plasticfilm canopy of low thermal conductivity, and with an infrared reflectingmetallized inner surface, capable of immediately enclosing a brooderoccupancy zone and its infrared radiation source, said canopy being ofsubstantially pyramidal configuration when extended and supported by theapex thereof around said occupancy zone, and said reflecting surfacecapable of reflecting infrared radiations in the range of the order of7000 to 9000 Angstrom units.

8. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) unitary, foldablepolyethylene film canopy of low thermal conductivity, transmittingvisible light at least in part, and with an aluminum metallized infraredreflecting inner surface, capable of immediately enclosing a brooderoccupancy zone and its infrared radiation source, said canopy being ofsubstantially pyramidal configuration when extended and supported by theapex thereof around said occupancy zone, and said reflecting surfacecapable of reflecting infrared radiations in the range of the order of7000 to 9000 Angstrom units.

9. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary foldable plasticfilm canopy capable of being disposed over a brooder occupancy zone,said film being of substantially pyramidal configuration when extendedand supported only adjacent to the apex thereof with the film atintermediate elevations below said apex being self supporting, (b) asupporting element attached to the apex of said pyramidal configuratedfilm, (c) a rigid horizontal spacer at the base of each film side toextend and maintain the unitary canopy in pyramidal configuration, and(d) at least one ingress-egress flap attached below at least one of saidspacers.

10. An infrared brooder cover comprising (a) a unitary foldable plasticfilm canopy capable of being disposed over a brooder occupancy zone,said film being of a substantially pyramidal configuration when extendedand supported only by the apex thereof with the film at intermediateelevations below said apex being self supporting, (b) a supportingelement attached to the apex of said pyramidal configuration, (c) aspacer at the base of each triangular film side to extend the filmcanopy into pyramidal configuration, and (d) ingress-egress flapsattached to each spacer adapted to immediately enclose the brooderoccupancy zone.

11. In a brooder with an infrared irradiation source above an occupancyzone for animals or fowl, the com bination which comprises (a) aninfrared radiation source above the occupancy zone, (b) a unitary,foldable plastic film canopy disposed around said infrared source andsaid occupancy zone, (0) a canopy supporting element attached to theupper part of said plastic film adapted to be attached above saidirradiation source, (d) spacing means near the bottom of said plasticfilm canopy adapted to maintain said canopy in a predetermined distendedconfiguration of substantialy panelled sides, and (e) at least oneingress-egress flap extending downwardly from a panelled side andadapted to provide communication with the occupancy zone.

12. In a brooder with an infrared irradiation source above an occupancyzone for animals or fowl, the combination which comprises (a) aninfrared radiation source above the occupancy zone, (b) a unitary,foldable plastic film canopy disposed around said infrared source andsaid occupancy zone, (0) a canopy supporting element attached to theupper part of said plastic film and adapted to be attached above saidirradiation source, (d) spacing means: near the bottom of said plasti-cfilm' canopy adapted to maintain: said canopyin apredctermin'e'dconfiguration of: substantially panelled sides,- (a)aseparable connector for ends'of adjacent spacing means, and (f) *atleast on'e' ingress-egress flap: extendingdownwardly from a panelled'sideand adapted :to provide-communication with the occupancy zone. 1

13. In a brooder cover adapted to enclosean infrared radiationsource andvthe occupancy zone of said brooder, the combination which. comprises(a) a unitary, foldable plastic'film canopyicapable-of being disposedaround said infrared source and said occupancy 'zo'ne, said film beingof substantially pyramidal configurationwhen' extended and supportedonly'by the apex thereof with the 'filrn'at 'intermediateelevationsbelow said apex" being self-supporting, (1)) aacanopy supporting'elementattached to the upper part of said plastic film and adapted to beattached above said irradiation source, (c) spacing means near thebottom of said plastic film canopy 'a'dapted'to maintain said canopy inapredetermined distended configuration, and ((1) means depending fromsaid spacing means to eifect simultaneous immediate enclosure andingress-egress communication for said occupancy zone.

14. A brooder cover comprising (a) a separable unitary foldableplasticfilmv structure. with a configuration. in the distended position of suchstructure .as--to, enclose the breeder occupancy zone, and a heatingsource therefor, and (b.) meansffor centrally tpositio'ning .saiddistended film structure around said .occupancy zone, said film being ofsubstantially pyramidal configuration when extended and supported onlyby the apex thereof with the film at intermediate elevations below saidapex being self-supporting.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

